Schools can test for drugs, doesn’t mean they should
The U.S. Supreme Court recently ruled that schools can conduct drug testing on students involved in extracurricular activities. This doesn’t mean schools should rush to do so. Schools already had permission to test athletes based on the presumption that they bare their bodies in locker rooms and therefore have no expectation to privacy and that illegal drug use can put the athletes and other players at a higher risk for injuries.
This is not the case for other students, ones who join the chess club, school band, choir or debate team. Instead, the court ruled that schools’ interest in ridding drugs from campuses outweighs student privacy.
Yet, the ability to hand out specimen cups ends with students who are involved in extra-curricular activities. Ironically, this is the very type of student that many studies have found are least likely to be involved in illegal drug use. It’s the students who shun school activities, have high absenteeism who are most at risk for drug use. They are not subject to random drug testing, although it isn’t a stretch to see that day coming. Given the nature of the court’s ruling that holds little esteem for the privacy rights of students, some school somewhere will decide to randomly test all students.
So what does this mean for local students? Probably not much, at least for this school year.
Most local school districts have drug policies in place that spell out that it is illegal for students, or anyone for that matter, to possess drugs on school property. Some go so far as to define over-the-counter medication such as aspirin as subject to disciplinary measures if the student doesn’t have permission and a proper label for carrying the substance.
However, most local schools have yet to test student athletes for drugs, even though they could have. So, it’s doubtful that any will be in a hurry to test members of the forensic team. It’s equally doubtful that such a policy would do much to keep illegal drugs out of schools.
Vigilance by parents, teachers and principals will help as will creating a welcome, respectful atmosphere in schools where students want to attend and want to join in activities.